Didsbury Dumped!

Seven changes were required to last week's squad including Mark Lee being replaced by the returning Andrew 'Nuts' Brown; Marrsy and Boughy both injured plus a Smith wedding ruled out Greg. The new bench had a youthful feel about it with Ewan Shand, Richard Jackson and Dave Percival occupying the seats!

Such is the momentum, optimism and general feel about Wigton Rugby Club at the moment, it was not surprising that the away support outnumbered the home contingent! And the travelling Green Team did not disappoint.

7 minutes were on the clock and Hanabury demonstrated awesome pace when the afterburners kicked in from 30 yards out to score the first try. After 15 minutes, hooker Mclean showed how well he has adapted to the world of front row rugby by taking the ball against the head. This allowed the ball to work its way along 8, 9, 10 then Miller, wearing the 13 shirt, out paced the opposition to the corner. The conversion made it 0-12.

Then it was the turn of the forwards - following some good phase play by Deans and Dobson, Captain Atkinson landed over the line from short range.

Wigton started to use the rotating subs rule to give the big lads some time out - Ewan Shand entered the game just before the half hour mark in the first of 8 changes throughout the game.

After half time, it was Atkinson again who lead from the front to line break and smash through 3 attempted tackles to crash over the line. The impressive 2nd row partnership of Deans and Dobson decided they wanted a piece of the action and Deansy made a line break to run in a try from 30 meters - which was converted to make it 0-33.

But it wasn't just the forwards hogging the limelight, it was again time for the backs to have a go and Ali Ledingham - operating at full back - who had kicked astutely all day landed a superb high ball into the arms of the pacey Jordan Wood to race home from 40 yards.

Not to be outdone, brother Fergus Ledingham showed great awareness with a box kick that the effervescent Callum Studholme seized upon and the conversion completed the scoring for the afternoon at 0-47.

Man of the match went to Deansy in a close contest where he was pushed by Atkinson, Dobson and Ali Ledingham. Last years Wanderers Player of the Year, Dave Percival, also put in an admirable performance on his 1st XV debut when he replaced 'the beast' after 50 mins.

With the Wanderers completing a double whammy over Aspatria at Lowmoor Road, the strength in depth of the formidable club squad is clearly evident. This was the 1st XV's first win on the road for two years - we won't be waiting that long for the next one!